electromagnetic waves

• Electromagnetic waves


  Transverse waves that transfer energy from the source of the waves to an absorber
• Electromagnetic waves


  • Microwaves
  • Solar panels
• Visible light


  • Part of the electromagnetic spectrum
  • Different wavelengths and frequencies
  • Red end has lower frequency and longer wavelength
  • Violet end has higher frequency and shorter wavelength
• Electromagnetic spectrum


  • Radio waves
  • Microwaves
  • Infrared
  • Visible light
  • Ultraviolet
  • X-rays
  • Gamma rays
• Electromagnetic spectrum is a continuous spectrum
• Electromagnetic waves do not need a medium to travel in
• All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum (3 x 10^8 m/s)
• Absorption, transmission, and reflection of electromagnetic waves


  Depends on the wavelength
• Absorption of electromagnetic waves

  • Microwaves are absorbed by foods containing water molecules
• Reflection of electromagnetic waves

  • Microwaves are reflected from metals
  • Light waves are reflected from shiny metallic surfaces
• Absorption of electromagnetic waves

  • Light waves are absorbed by black surfaces